Since its inception in 1996, National Tree Day has seen millions of trees planted across the Hunter and that number will be increased again when the event is held on July 30.
Robinson Reserve will again be the focus in Singleton with the event kicking off at 11am. Around 1000 trees, shrubs and grasses will be planted by volunteers.
It will be a family fun-filled event with a free sausage sizzle to be served up by the Lions Club of Singleton. There will also be face painting and kids activities including a biodiversity scavenger hunt.
Slightly different this year is the choice of species. Trees Newcastle surveyed the local area to ensure the new plantings are locally significant. This aims to increase the successful survival rate of the trees and their capacity for growth in the future as well as their added appreciation by local fauna.
Singleton Tidy Towns president Lyn MacBain said her organisation had been planting trees long before it became a national event.
“We have planted down near the river and at various parks such as Nowlan Park and throughout the district, I believe over the years we would have planted close to a million trees,” Lyn said.
The outcome is easily seen by taking a stroll through Robinson Reserve which was once barren of any trees or shrubs.
Damian Morris, Council’s Acting Director Infrastructure and Planning said thousands of native trees, grasses and shrubs have been planted in Robinson Reserve as part of National Tree Day in the past decade.
“Robinson Reserve tells an incredible story of intergenerational action by Council and the community. It’s a collaboration that’s created a thriving natural corridor in the heart of Singleton Heights and some valuable biodiversity and liveability outcomes,” he said.
You can register to take part on the day at the registration point location in Morrison Drive, Singleton Heights.
Meanwhile in Muswellbrook, past plantings along Muscle Creek and Denman Hyde Park wetland have helped bring nature into the urban environment while the project helps to keep temperatures cooler for people using the parkland.
St Joseph’s Primary school at Denman and Muswellbrook South Public School are also assisting with the tree planting projects and will take part in National Schools Tree Planting ahead of the big community event.
TREE PLANTING PROGRAM
Sunday, July 30
Hyde Park, Denman, 9:30am to 11:30am
Muscle Creek, Muswellbrook, 10:30am to 12:30pm
Robinson Reserve, Singleton, 11am to 2pm
